Model 13 at the Range

[GaryS]

I finally got my Model 13-4 to the range. I bought it in late November, but the northeast winter was not conducive to going to the range. In fact, my range was closed for several weeks due to the road being unpassable and unplowable.

Anyway, the weather and my schedule finally coincided and it was off to the range.

Boy, does that gun make me look like a pistolero! The trigger is smooth and silky and the rounds go pretty much where I aim. I was shooting 130gr WWB 38Spcl. I don't plan to shot .357 through it, even if I carry it for self defense.

Here is a picture of how it's set up.

The combination of grips and the Tyler T is pretty comfortable to shoot. I originally planned to put 50 rounds through it, but before I knew it I had put the entire 100 Value Pack through the gun.

There was only one glitch. Three of the first 50 rounds didn't fire on the first trigger pull. There were nice primer strikes that looked like the other ones, but no bang. Two of those fired the second time around, but the third didn't. I put that into my 642 and it fired.

I think that was the ammo, but it is possible the main spring needs adjustment or replacement? I don't want to start fiddling with the internal parts if it's not necessary.

My SD round is going to be 158gr JHP and I plan to put some of that through the gun before I consider carrying it.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Very nice!

I'd try a new mainspring. It could be a previous owner shortened the strain screw as well.

 

[Sailfish 40]

make sure the strain screw is tight.

 

[GaryS]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

As it turns out those who suggested this,

make sure the strain screw is tight.

were right. At least it seems so. I had some time today so I took the Model 13 and a Model 6906 to the range. Both had had Failures to Fire on their last trips out.

Before I left the house, I checked the strain screw and it was about 1 1/2 turns loose. I tightened it down and checked the trigger pull by dry firing. The double action trigger pull seemed a bit heavier, maybe.

Off to the range I went. I put 100 rounds of 158gr JHP through the firearm. The first 50 were sort of sketchy reloads that I had committed to buy before I realized that they were reloads. The price was cheap enough that I didn't feel bad using them for range fodders. They all fired without problem and once again the Model 13 made me look like I can actually shoot.

The second box was Aguila 158 gr JHP. I found that when I was digging in the ammo locker for something other than WWB to use. I don't remember when I bought it, actually I forgot I had it.

No problems with this ammo either and once again the gun did the hard work of being accurate.

I did discover (I think) a cure for my tendency to shoot to my left of point of aim. I shoot using the Isosceles triangle position and I found that as I was shooting my left elbow tended to buckle a bit. I concentrated on the front site, breathing, and keeping that elbow straight. That improved the groups.

This is a sweet, sweet, shooting handgun. Both double and single action trigger break are very crisp. The double action pull is smooth as can be.

 

[Dot_mdb]

Please don't risk a beauty like that to unknown reloads.

It's a Model 13 and it is a 3 inch. We don't want to lose any of those.

Bill

 

[JoeReed]

Truly a beautiful revolver.

 

[GaryS]

You're right, but my other choices are almost as bad. Model 10-5, Model 10-6 Nickle, Model 65-6 3", or Model 442.

I don't think there is anything really wrong with those reloads other than that they are... reloads. Commercial reloads, but reloads none the less. Nothing I'd risk my life on.

Please don't risk a beauty like that to unknown reloads.

It's a Model 13 and it is a 3 inch. We don't want to lose any of those.

Bill